My best modification......
Discussion
So, with hindsight, what is the best money you have spent to make cycling more enjoyable, and you faster?
I know that the area with most potential is me - to get fitter and push harder, but upgrades and mods to the bike and kit is always a motivator isn't it.
I always like hearing what others think with hindsight, in terms of changes they have made to their bike, or their kit.
What was worth it? What wasn't?
For me, a bike fit was good value as I no longer suffer from a sore neck after a long stint in the saddle.
Changing the cheap Vittoria tyres for Michelin Pro 4 endurance has also been noticable, especially on smoother roads.
Jury is still out on the whole bib short thing though. Not sure I am really any more comfortable and they come with the significant shame of how I look without my jersey....
Any lessons from your side?
I know that the area with most potential is me - to get fitter and push harder, but upgrades and mods to the bike and kit is always a motivator isn't it.
I always like hearing what others think with hindsight, in terms of changes they have made to their bike, or their kit.
What was worth it? What wasn't?
For me, a bike fit was good value as I no longer suffer from a sore neck after a long stint in the saddle.
Changing the cheap Vittoria tyres for Michelin Pro 4 endurance has also been noticable, especially on smoother roads.
Jury is still out on the whole bib short thing though. Not sure I am really any more comfortable and they come with the significant shame of how I look without my jersey....
Any lessons from your side?
Edited by alolympic on Tuesday 8th August 08:43
Decent brake pads are always worth getting, Swiss stop if you're feeling flush.
Most bikes come with naff bar tape, easy to change and can improve the comfort and look of the bike. Lizard skins is good, as is Arundel Gecko, £15 or so.
Tyres you've already swapped but did you change for some nicer inner tubes too? Vittoria ultralight are 75g each and normally about £4 online, or Michelin aircomp etc.
Wheels would probably be the next after that if you've not got a decent set on there already.
Most bikes come with naff bar tape, easy to change and can improve the comfort and look of the bike. Lizard skins is good, as is Arundel Gecko, £15 or so.
Tyres you've already swapped but did you change for some nicer inner tubes too? Vittoria ultralight are 75g each and normally about £4 online, or Michelin aircomp etc.
Wheels would probably be the next after that if you've not got a decent set on there already.
A device to help you track your improving form might help
Garmin, wahoo elemnt that type of thing, perhaps a heart rate monitor or maybe even a power meter if you want to get really serious
Join a club
But basically, anything that makes you want to ride more is going to help
Garmin, wahoo elemnt that type of thing, perhaps a heart rate monitor or maybe even a power meter if you want to get really serious
Join a club
But basically, anything that makes you want to ride more is going to help
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 5th August 19:17
I've never upgraded anything except for tyres and brake pads.
Tyres - I'm having good results with a nice pair of 25mm wide Continental Grand Prix 4000 SII, and brake pads - I've put SwissStop pads on in the past. Although at the moment I'm using 'stock' Shimano pads because the SwissStop pads went onto a winter bike where they were needed more.
Anything else I've changed has been either a straight swap because of wear, or it's been a downgrade (such as Ultegra cassette replaced by 105 cassette due to budgetary constraints).
Never needed anything better than the saddle that came with the bike, and not needed to replace a set of wheels yet.
Tyres - I'm having good results with a nice pair of 25mm wide Continental Grand Prix 4000 SII, and brake pads - I've put SwissStop pads on in the past. Although at the moment I'm using 'stock' Shimano pads because the SwissStop pads went onto a winter bike where they were needed more.
Anything else I've changed has been either a straight swap because of wear, or it's been a downgrade (such as Ultegra cassette replaced by 105 cassette due to budgetary constraints).
Never needed anything better than the saddle that came with the bike, and not needed to replace a set of wheels yet.
yellowjack said:
I've never upgraded anything except for tyres and brake pads.
Tyres - I'm having good results with a nice pair of 25mm wide Continental Grand Prix 4000 SII, and brake pads - I've put SwissStop pads on in the past. Although at the moment I'm using 'stock' Shimano pads because the SwissStop pads went onto a winter bike where they were needed more.
Anything else I've changed has been either a straight swap because of wear, or it's been a downgrade (such as Ultegra cassette replaced by 105 cassette due to budgetary constraints).
Never needed anything better than the saddle that came with the bike, and not needed to replace a set of wheels yet.
Needed < > wanted!Tyres - I'm having good results with a nice pair of 25mm wide Continental Grand Prix 4000 SII, and brake pads - I've put SwissStop pads on in the past. Although at the moment I'm using 'stock' Shimano pads because the SwissStop pads went onto a winter bike where they were needed more.
Anything else I've changed has been either a straight swap because of wear, or it's been a downgrade (such as Ultegra cassette replaced by 105 cassette due to budgetary constraints).
Never needed anything better than the saddle that came with the bike, and not needed to replace a set of wheels yet.
JPJPJP said:
Needed < > wanted!
Oh I've wanted loads of shiny things. But I always seem to be needing to buy something entirely practical with the money I've set aside. Right now I need new chainrings on my road bike, and a new chain for my MTB (and possibly a cassette too)...♫ ...You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes well you just might find
You get what you need... ♫
After my day with The Bike Whisperer, a computer with navigation on it (Elemnt Bolt in my case) has been the best upgrade for me so far.
I suspect that any bike upgrades are going to give you marginal gains at best, so (as has been said) anything that encourages you to ride more and improve your fitness will give you the best bang for your buck.
I suspect that any bike upgrades are going to give you marginal gains at best, so (as has been said) anything that encourages you to ride more and improve your fitness will give you the best bang for your buck.
Does zwift membership count?
That's outweighed any other upgrade I've made.
I appreciate it isn't just the X amount per month but a turbo and everything else you need to get set up. Great for winter or training if your short on time.
Foam roller is also a great/cheap addition but that will depend on your goals.
That's outweighed any other upgrade I've made.
I appreciate it isn't just the X amount per month but a turbo and everything else you need to get set up. Great for winter or training if your short on time.
Foam roller is also a great/cheap addition but that will depend on your goals.
Strava and a better saddle. Strava segments to see if I'm improving and to keep up with pals who are also into cycling but don't live nearby - and the saddle to make getting onto the bike regularly much easier.
Other than the saddle I haven't done much to my bike itself, but I recently splashed out on a new bottle cage to match my saddle. I know, I know .. pure extravagance
Other than the saddle I haven't done much to my bike itself, but I recently splashed out on a new bottle cage to match my saddle. I know, I know .. pure extravagance
In 1995 I upgraded from indexed Shimano 105 down tube shifters to Shimano RSX STI levers and made the change from Shimano 105 toe-clips and straps to Look pedals.
As I did both at the same time, its hard to isolate the contrition of each to overall improvement, but let's just say it was by large margin a bigger step up as anything since.
As I did both at the same time, its hard to isolate the contrition of each to overall improvement, but let's just say it was by large margin a bigger step up as anything since.
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